Machine for mending runs in knitted fabrics



Nov. 24, 1931. R. M. MARKUS 1,832,939

- MACHINE FOR MENDING RUNS IN KNITTED FABRICS Filed Sept. 15 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l WWI/ 672f? 2'1 1 52 kg}; jZfl A/ /M rws. M 1." f/% 7% NOV. 24,1931. R MARKUS 1,832,939

MACHINE FOR MENDING RUNS IN KNITTED FABRICS Filed-Sept. 15 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 24, 1931. R. M. MARKUS ,93

MACHiNE FOR MENDING RUNS IN KNITTED FABRICS Filed Sept. 15 1930 s sheets-shet 3' Patented Nov. 24, 1931 PATENT OFFICE RALPH M. MARKUS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MACHINE FOR- MENDING RUNS IN KNITTED FABRTGS Application filed September 15, 1930. Serial No. 482,119.

The machine of the present invention is designed primarily for the purpose of mending runs in hosiery, or similar knitted fabrics which result from progressive unlooping 5 of a line of interlooped cross-threads which gives to the run a ladderlike formation. In orcer to repair such run, it is necessary to progressively engage the cross-threads of the run and loop each of them over the next succross-thread of the ladder and to progressively feed forward the fabric at a speed commensurate with the re-looping operation.

To perform this operation successfully, it is necessary that the looping needle during each cycle of operation engage but a single cross-thread. on a lift of the needle and reease the same from the hook on the down thrust of the needle, so that as the next succeeding loop is being formed the preceding loop will slip free from the needle and continue this operation with rapidity and precision until the entire run has been repaired.

it has heretofore been customary, in certain machines with which I am familiar, to progressively space the cross-threads in preparation for the re-looping operation, so that the threads will. be uniformly distended at equal distances from one another, but this operation requires the exercise of extreme care in proper y distending the fabric and in uniformly spacing the cross-threads before the looping operation begins, and also re- V quires care in maintaining the space arrangement of a large number of cross-threads during the entire progress of the work.

we present machine is designed to dispense with the necessity for thus initially M spreading and spacing the cross-threads by i pro ling means which will progressively reeach cross-thread of the series composing the run, concurrently with the lift of the hooked needle, so as to insure the engagement on so ll needle operation of but a single crossthr l, which obviates the necessity for the exercise of extreme care in maintaining the spaced relationship above referred to, and enables the work to be performed by unskilled 50 operators with less opportunity for displacement of the threadsand resulting entanglement than has heretofore been the case.

The machine of the present invention is of extremely simple construction and is so constructed that it may be adjusted to secure proper co-ordination between the operation of the needle and the operation of the releasing device which delivers the cross-threads to the needle in timed relation thereto.

in the drawings, v

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the shoe and associated releasing device taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

rig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the driving mechanism taken on line H of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation taken on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 1s a view of the needle shaft and associated parts taken on line 66 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the shoe and associated devices. i

The machine, as a whole, is mountedupon a table 10 and comprises a main frame including a lower arm 11, an upper arm 12, and a rear standard 13. The interior of the frame is cored to afford a housing for the working parts, and the upper arm terminates at its forward or free end in a head 14 which is closed in front by a rectangular plate 15. i The lower arm has secured thereto a forward extending shoe 16, the upper surface 17 of which is rounded down at its outer end to afford a support over which the stocking or other knitted article is distended and supported. The upper wall of the shoe, ata. point immediately below the head 14, is provided with a slot 18, as best shown in Fig. 7. Immediately adjacent the forward edge of the slot, the shoe is provided with an inward extending lug 19, through which is adjusted the threaded stem 20 of a releasing member which terminates at its upper end in an enlarged head 21, of flaring or conical formation, as shown, which extends upwardly through the slot 18 and slightly ric is fed forwardly the cross-threads will progressively ride up upon the easy forward surface of the head 21 and be released downwardly over the abrupt end surface and be engaged by the hook of the needle in a manner presently to be described.

"The upper surface of the shoe coacts with a presser foot 22 which is in the form of a plate having an upturned toe 23 located in advance of the releaser head 21, and, as best shown 'in Fig. 2, the level of the foot, behind the upturned toe, is cut away to afford a T-shaped slot 24 which overlies and in part registers with the slot 18 in the shoe.

The relation of these parts is such that the releaser head 21 extends upwardly into the center of the slot 2et, while the lower surface of the presser foot bears downwardly upon the surface of the shoe, so that the fabric on both sides of the run will be clamped and held in position to permit the cross-threads to successively ride up upon the forward or easy surface of the releaser head, thereafter to be carried downwardly, one at a time, in position to be caught by the needle.

The presser foot terminates at its rear end in a flange 25 which is secured by screws to the forwardly extending arms 26 of ayoke frame of angular formation, the rear arm 27' of which is adapted to be thrust forwardly to eXert'a downward pressure on the presser foot. The yoke frame is mounted on a pivot 28 carried by a bracket arm 29 which depends from the .head 1% of the upper arm 12.

The arms 26 carry a cross-pin 30, on which is journaled a presser roll 31 which coacts .with a pair of spaced serrated feed rolls 32 which are affixed and mounted upon a shaft 33 upon which 18 also mounted a spur gear .34 located between the serrated feed rolls 32.

The serrated feed rolls, in conjunction with a presser roll 31, serve to feed the material employed in machines of this character, and

is provided with a hook at its lower end and protected by a latch which. as the needle descends, is forced open by the previously engaged cross-thread, leaving the hook posed to engage the next cross-thread of the run upon the succeeding lift of the needle in a manner well understood in the art to which the present invention relates.

The hooked needle is clamped within a head 36 at the lower end of a reciprocating stem 37 which is adjustably mounted within a tubular stem 38 slidably mounted within upper and lower bearings 39 and 40 in the walls of the head 14. A spring l1 encircles the stem 37, being interposed between the head 36 and the end of the tubular stem 38, which spring tends to force the inner stem 37 downward. The upper end of the inner stem is provided with a slot 42 within which is pivoted an adjusting cam lever 13 mounted upon a pivot ll and provided with notches 45 and ill located at varying distances from the pivot fr l.

Each of the notches is adapted. to engage with an edge of the tubular stem 38 at a point in approximate relation to the cam lever. the arrangement being such that as the cam lever is swung downwardlyfrom a po sition indicated in Fig. 3, bringing the upper notch 48 into latching engagement, it will tend to lift the inner stem against the tension of the spring 41, thereby lifting the needle out of operative position.

A reciprocating movement is imparted to the needle through the action of an arm 4 the upper end of which is pivoted upon a in 18 outwardly extending from a collar 4:9 slid-ably mounted upon the tubular stem 38 and held in adjusted position by means of a set screw 50. The arm 47 terminate at its lower end in a collar 51 which encircles a stud 52 eccentrically mounted upon and outstanding from the enlarged end of a shaft 5-1 which is ourna ed through forward and rear journal mountings and 56 formed across the interior of the upper arm. The rear endof the shaft 54rreceives a beveled pinion 57 which meshes with a beveled pinion 58 on the upper end of a vertical transmission shaft 59, carrying a beveled pinion 60, which in turn meshes with beveled pinion 61 upon a driv ng shaft 62, which carries a grooved pulley 63 combined with a hand-wheel 6-1.

The shaft 62 also mounts a d sc 65 combined with a sma ler disc 66 which is rece cd or mutilated at 67 to coact with a star wheel 68 having rad ally extending slots a apted to coact wit the pin 70 on the disc 6:") and constituting tie well known Geneva movement.

The star wheel 68 is mounted upon a shaft 71 wh ch a so carries a spur pinion 72 mesh inc with a spur pin on 73 on an obliq el disposed shaft 74 which is moimted w thin journal mountings 75 and 7G in the lower arm 11. and the shaft. at its forward end. term nates in a worm 77 which meshes w th a worm wheel 8. the teeth of which mesh with the teeth of the gear 34, which HITk ngement provides for the transmission of a step.- by-step rotary feedingmovement to the serrated feed rolls 32. i

The arm 27 of the presser yoke is acted upon by a spring 78 whichencircles a rod '79 provided with adjusting nuts 80 for adjusting the tension of the spring. The rear end of the rod is pivoted upon a pin 81 carried by a lug 82 depending from the upper arm 12. The free end of the presser yoke and presser foot and presser roll carried thereby, may be lifted bythe action of the cable 83 which connects with a linger as outwardly extending from the arm 27, which cable passes over a pulley S5 and entends downwardly to.a treadle (not shown), or other convenient operating mechanism.

In order to protect the fabric from becoming entangled within the gearing, a guard plate 86 is positioned to overlie the worm gear 78, being notched in its forward edge 8'? V to embrace the serrated feed rolls 32, as shown in Fig. 7.

' Operation In operating a machine of the present invention, the stocking or other knitted article to be repaired is spread evenly over the upper surface of the shoe in position to bring the run into line with the releasing head 21, and the first cross-thread of the run is brought behind the relasing head in position to be engaged by the hook of the needle.

The initial adj ustment of the machine may be effected by turning the hand-wheel 64,

but after the needle is properly engaged with the first cross-thread the machine may be operated by power by the pulley 63. The attendant holds the fabric with the run continually in line with the releasing head, and

the fabric on either side of the run is clamped and held by the presser foot, and as the machine is operated the serrated feed rolls 32 will draw the fabric inwardly in successive step-by-step operations which are properly timed to bring each succeeding cross-thread to the apex of the releasing head concurrently with the lift of the needle as it carries upwardly the previously engaged cross-thread. As the needle descends, the latch will be lifted by the previously hooked cross-thread, and on the next lift of the needle the crossthread last released from the head 21'will be caught by the hook and carried through the loop formed by the preceding cross-thread, which latter then slides over the latch and is finally released.

The intermittent operation of the serrated feed rolls is so timed that material will be drawn forwardly concurrently With the lift of the needle, so that the release of each cross-thread from the releasing head will be occasioned by the conjunct pull of the material forwardly and the upward tension exerted by the needle in lifting the previously engaged cross-thread, so that each newly released cross-thread will lie in position to be engaged as the needle descends, the periods of rest in the feeding operation occurring concurently with the descending movements of the needle. The fabric will thus be held stationary after each releasing operation, so that the cross-thread just released will occupy exactly the proper position to be engaged by the hook ofthe needle on the next lifting operation, and in order to enable the releasing head to be exactly positioned to ail'ord'the necessary protrusion to provide for the stretch in the fabric and the operathe run in proper alignment with the presser foot and the releasing device, and need pay no attention to the spacing of cross-threads in advance of a point where the looping operation is performed. The device, as a whole, is simple in construction and the working parts are so arranged that they may be accurately adjusted to secure the exact corelation required in successively feeding and releasing the threads to the needle.

with particularity, it is not the intention to limit the claims to the precise mechanism shown, since variations thereof may be introduced without departing from the spirit of.

the invention.

I claim: 1. In a machlne for repairing runs in fabrics. the combination of a latched hooked needle and means for reciprocating the same; 7

of a feeding surface for the fabric apertured to provide for the reciprocations of the needle, and a member extending above the plane of the feeding surface in proximity to Although the invention has been described the needle and adapted to permit the individual cross-threads of the run to successively slip over the protuberant member in position to be engaged by the needle.

2. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a latched hooked be engaged by the needle, and means for feeding the fabric and securing SUCC6SS1V6,:I'81&SG

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of thecross-threadsat a speedcommensurate with the reciprocations of the needle.

3. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a latched hooked needle and means for reciprocating the same; of a feeding surface for the fabric apertured to provide for the reciprocations of the needle, a member extending above the plane of the feeding surface in proximity to the needle and adapted to permit the individual cross-threads of the run to successively slip over the protuberant member in position to be engaged by the needle, and means for intermittently feeding the fabric and securing successive release of the cross-threads at a speed commensurate with the reciprocations of the needle.

Tl. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a latched hooked needle and means for reciprocating the same of a feeding surface for the fabric apertured to provide for the reciprocations of the needle, a member extending above the plane of the feeding surface in proximity to the needle and adapted to permit the individual cross-threads of the run to successively slip over the protuberant member in position to be engaged by the needle, means for feeding the fabric andsecuring successive release of the cross-threads at a speed commensurate with the reciprocations of the needle, and a presser member adapted to compress the fabric onto the feeding surface in a region clos ly adjacent to the protuberant member.

5. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a latched hooked needle and means for reciprocating the same; of a feeding surface for the fabric apertured to I provide for. the reciprocations of the needle, 21 member extending above the plane of the feeding surface in proximity to the needle and adapted to permit the individual cross-threadsof the run to successively slip over the protuberant member in position to be engaged by the needle, means for intermittently feeding thefabric and securing succcssive release of the cross-threads at a speed commensurate with thereciprocations of the needle,and a presser member adapted to compress the fabriconto the feeding surface in a region closely adjacent to the protuberant member.

6. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a latched hooked needle and means for reciprocating the same; of a feeding surface for the fabric apertured to provide for the reciprocations of the use dle, a. member extending above the plane of the feeding surface in proximity to the needle and adapted to permit the individual cross-threads of the run to successively slip overthe protuberant member in position to be cngaged'by the needle, means for feeding the fabric and securing successive release of the cross threads'at a'speed commensurate with the reciprocations of the needle, and an adjustable presser member apertured to permit reciprocation of the needle and positioned to bring the protuberant member Within said aperture and adapted to compress the fabric upon the feeding surface in a region closely adjacent to the protuberant member.

7. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combinationof a latched hook-ed needle and means for reciprocating the same; of a feeding surface for the fabric apertured to provide for the reciprocation of the needle, a member extending above the plane of the feeding surface in proximity to the needle and adapted to permit the individual crossthreads of the run to successively slip over the protuberant member in position to be engaged by the needle, means for intermittently feeding the fabric and securing successive release of the cross-threads at a speed commensurate with the reciprocations of the needle, and an adjustable presser member apertured to permit reciprocation of the needle and positioned to bring the protuberant member Within said apertureand adapted to compress the fabric upon the feeding surface in a region closely adjacent to the protuberant member.

8; In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a latched. hooked needle and means for reciprocating the same; of a feeding surface for the fabric apertured to provide for the reciprocations of the needle, a member extending above the plane of the feeding surface in proximity to the needle and adapted to permit the individual cro threads of the run to successively slip over the protuberant member in position to be engaged by theneedle, means for feeding fabric and securing successive release of the cross-threads at a speed commensurate with the reeiprocations of the needle, an adjustable presser member apertured to permit reciprocation of the needle and positioned to bring the protuberant member within said aperture and adapted to compress the fabric upon the feeding surface in a region closely adjacent to the protuberant member, and spring means for holding the presser member in spring-pressed relation to the feeding surface.

9. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a latched hooked needle and means for reciprocating the same: of a feeding surface for the fabric apcri red to providev for the reciprocations of the necdle, a member extending above the plane of the feeding surface in proximity to the needle and adapted to permit the individual cross-threads of the run to successively slip .over the protuberant member in position to be engaged by the needle, means for intermittently feeding the fabric and securing successive release of the cross-threads at a speed commensurate with the reciprocations of the needle, an adjustablepresser member apertured to permit reciprocation of the needle and positioned to bring the protuberant member within said aperture and adapted to compress the fabric upon the feeding surface in a region closely adjacent to the protuberant member, andv spring means for holding the presser member in spring-pressed relation to the feeding surface.

10. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a hooked latched needle and means for recipro ating the same, a feeding surface apertured to provide for the reciprocation of th needle below the plane of the feeding surface, a protuberant member extending through said aperture and above the plane of the feeding surfacand positioned to permit the cross-threads of the run to. successively ride up and over the protuberant member in position to be success v elv engaged by the hook of the needle. feed roller means located in proximity to the protuberant member, and means for actuating the feed roller means to feed the fabric t a speed commensurate with the recipro ations of the needle to effect the success ve delivery of the cross-threads to the needle.

11. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics. the combination of a hooked latched needle and means for reciprocating the same, a feeding surface apertured to provide for the reciprocation of the needle below the plane of the feeding surface. a protuberant member extending through said aperture and above the plane of the feeding surface and positioned to permit the cross-threads of the run to successively ride up and over the protuberantmember in position to be successively engaged bv the hook of the needle. feed roller means located in proximity to the protuberant member. and means for intermittentlv actuating the feed roller means to feed the fabric intermittently at a speed commensurate with the reciprocations of the needle to effect the successive delivery of the crossthreads to the needle. 7

12. In a machine for repairing runs in fabri s. the. combination of a hooked latched needle and means for reciprocating the'same, a feeding surface aperture-d to provide for the reciprocation of the needle below the plane of the feeding surface. a protuberant member extendingthrough said aperture and above the planeof the feeding surface and positioned to permit the cross-threads of the run to successively ride up and over the protuberant member in positionto be successively engaged bv the hook of the needle, feed roller means located in proximity to the protuberant member. means for actuating the feed roller means to feed the f bric at a speed commensurate with the reciprocations of the needle to effect the successive delivery of the cross-threads to the needle. and a presser foot positioned to contact with the feeding surface and provided with an aperture adapt ed to afford clearance for the upward protrusion of the protuberant member abovethe plane of the feeding surface.

13. In a machine for repairing runs in fabri s. the combination of a hooked latched needle and means for reciprocating the same, feeding surface apertured to provide for the reciprocation of the needle below the plane of the feeding surface, a protuberant member extending through said aperture and above the plane of the feeding surface and positioned to permit the cross-threads of the run to successively ride up andover the protuberant member in position to be successively engagedbv the hook of the needle, feed roller means located in proximity to the protuberant member, means for intermittently actuating the feed roller means to feed the fabric intermittently at a speed commensu-.

rate with the reciprocations of the needle to need e andmeans for reciprocating the same, H

a feeding surface apertured to provide for the reciprocation of the needle below the plane of the feeding surface. a protuberant member extending throu h said aperture and above the plane of the feeding surface and positioned to permit the cross-threads of the run to successively ride up and over the protuberant member in position to be successively engaged bv the hook of the needle, feed roller means located in proximity to'the protuberant member, means for actuating the feed roller means to feed the fabric at a speed commensurate with the reciprocationsof the needle to effect the successive delivery of the cross-threads to the needle. a presserfoot positioned to contact with the feeding surface and provided with an aperture adapted to afford clearance for the upward protrusion of the protuberant member above the plane of the feeding surface, and means acting upon the presser foot for yieldably holding he same into compressing relation to the feeding surface in a region adjacent-to the protuberant member.

15. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics. the combination of a hooked latched needle and means for reciprocating the same, a feeding surface apertured to provide for the reciprocation of the needle below the plane of the feeding surface, a protuberant member extending through said aperture and above the plane of the feeding surface and positioned to permit the cross-threads of the run to successively ride up and over the protuberant member in position to be successively engaged by the hook of the needle, feed roller means located in proximity to the protuberant member, means for intermit- 1 f tently, actuating the feed roller means to feed the fabric intermittently at a speed commensurate with the reciprocations of the needle to effect the successive delivery of the crossthreads to the needle, a presser foot pos tioned to contact with the feeding surface and provided with an aperture adapted to afford clearance for the upward protrusion of the protuberant member above the plane M of; the feeding surface, and means acting i .upon the presser foot for yieldably holding "the same into compressing relation to the feeding surface ,in a region adjacent to' ,the protuberant member. 16. In a -machine for repairingruns in 2 fabrics, the combination of a feeding surface provided-with an aperture, a protuberant member located'within said aperture and adjustable to. bring, its acting end above theplane of the feeding surface, to the, desired degree,;said-protuberant member being POSllJlbIlECl to permit thesuecessivecross- -threads of the run to ride up andove-r the protuberant member, a hooked latched neewdle andmeans for reciprocating the, same throughythe aperture in the feeding surface and ,in close proximity tothe-protuberant nlemberfito [successively engage the crossthreads released from the protuberant mem- ;ber, and means for feeding'the fabric at a :speed commensurate with the reciprocations ofthe needle.

17. In a-machine for repairing runs in "fabrics, the combination of afeeding surface .prov'idedwith-an aperture, a protuberant 0 member located within, said aperture and adjustable to bring its acting end above the planeof thefeeding surface-to the desired dcgree,-- said protuberant; member being positioned to permit the successive crossthreads of the run to ride upandover the protuberant member, a hooked latched neejldle and means for reciprocating the same through the aperture inthe feeding surface andin close proximity to the protuberant -member,to successfully cngagethe crossthreads released from the protuberant memb61'," 10l'l1 means for intermittently feeding the fabric at a speed commensurate -withthe reciprocations of the needle, and a train of connections, including a Geneva ;movement, for imparting ,step-by-step feed- 'ing movements to the roller means.

18, In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a frame comprising ,an upper arm and a lower arm, the lower arm having thereon afeeding surface adapted to support the fabric and the upper arm being positioned in overhanging spaced relation to the lower arm, the feeding surface 60 being provided With an aperture; a protumounted below the planeof the feeding'sur face and presenting anexposed portion of the roller in coacting relation to the plane of said feeding surface, a hooked latched needle positioned to reciprocatethrough the aperture in the feeding surface and invproximity to the protuberant member and the roller, a stem for carrying the needle reciprocally mounted within the upper arm, and a train of transmission connections between the needle-carrying stem and a feed roller for imparting feeding movements to the roller at a speed commensurate with the-reciprocating movements imparted to the needle.

19. In a ma chinefor repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of aframecomprising an-upper arm and a lower arm, the lower arm having thereon a feeding surface adapted to support the fabric and the upper arm being positioned in overhanging spaced relation to the lower arm, the feeding surface being provided with anaperture; a protuberant member mounted below the feeding surface and having a head end extending through said, aperture and above the plane of the feeding surface, roller feeding -means mounted below the plane of the feeding surface and presentingan'exposedportion of the rollerin coacting relation to the plane of ,said feeding surface, a;hooked latched needle positioned to reciprocate through the aperture in thefeeding surfaceand in proximity to ;the protuberant member and the roller, a stem for carrying thegneedle reciprocally mounted Within the upper arm, and a train of connections located within a frame and ncludmg means for reciprocating the needle and a Geneva movement for imparting intermediate step-by-step feeding movements to the feed roller at a speed commensurate with thereciprocations of the needle.

20. In a machine for repairing runs in fabrics, the combination of a framecomprising an upper arm and a lower arm, the lower arm having thereon a feeding surface adapted to supportthe fabric and the upper arm being positioned in overhanging spaced relation to the lower arm, the feeding surface being provided with an aperture; a protuberant member mounted below the'feeding surface and having a head end extending through said aperture and above the plane of the feeding surface, roller feeding means mounted below the plane of the feeding surface and presenting an exposed portion of the roller incoacting relation to the plane of said feedingsurface, a hooked latchedneedle positioned to reciprocatethrough the aperture in the feeding surface'and in-proximity to the protuberant memberand theroller, a stem for carrying the needle reciprocally mounted within the upper arm, a train of connections located within the frame and ineluding means for reciprocating the needle and a Geneva movement for imparting intermediate step-by-step feeding movements to the feed roller at a speed commensurate with the reciprocations of the needle, and a presser foot positioned to act in compressing relation to the feeding surface and apertured to afford a clearance for the upward protrusion of the protuberant member and to provide for the reciprocations of the needle.

21. The method of repairing runs in fabrics, which consists in distending the run by stretching the fabric to align the run with the reciprocating looping needle, drawing the fabric forward from a point beyond the needle to advance the cross threads of the run successively to the needle, and lifting each cross thread singly as it reaches a position immediately adjacent to the needle, to properly position it with respect to the needle, and thereafter suddenly releasing it into the path of the needle.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 10th day of September, 1930.

RALPH M. MARKUS. 

